West Central Reporter

The Leatherneck Volleyball team secured an undefeated record at the Buc Dome Invitational in Charleston, South Carolina, by defeating Sacred Heart in straight sets. This victory places Western Illinois University (WIU) over .500 with six non-conference wins this season, marking their best performance since 2013. The Leathernecks concluded the weekend with a 3-0 record and have now achieved four consecutive straight-set sweeps.

Keyana Cruse led the team's offense with a match-high of 16 kills, while Julianna Schmidt excelled defensively with eight blocks, including three solo blocks during the first set. WIU accumulated a total of 13 blocks throughout the match.

In the first set, WIU initially trailed but turned the game around with a 12-2 run to lead 13-5. Keyana Cruse contributed significantly during this period with consecutive kills. The Leathernecks won the set decisively at 25-15.

Sacred Heart began strongly in the second set with a 10-3 lead. However, WIU responded with a series of runs, eventually securing the set at 27-25 after crucial kills by Elizabeth Ziegler and Brittany Wulf.

The third set mirrored previous patterns as Sacred Heart took an early lead before WIU mounted an impressive comeback. An 11-2 run helped them take control and win the set at 25-19.

Looking ahead, WIU will commence Ohio Valley Conference play at Western Hall against SIUE on September 27 and September 28, followed by a match against Lindenwood on October 1.

For further updates on Leatherneck Volleyball, visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.